2015 Draft

First-Year Player Draft History

Draft Report: 2000s

The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. Gonzalez, who was rated as the best pure high school hitter in the draft by Baseball America, was the first high school first baseman taken first overall since the New York Yankees chose Ron Blomberg in 1967. In his senior year, Gonzalez hit .645 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI.

Among the college players chosen was David Parrish, son of former major leaguer Lance Parrish, by the New York Yankees with the 28th pick. In addition, David Espinosa, a high school shortstop from Miami, FL, became the first RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) alumnus ever selected in the first round of the draft.

Infielder Xavier Nady, second round pick of the San Diego Padres out of the University of California, went straight to the Major Leagues in 2000. He became the 19th player to do so since the draft started in 1965.

First Round

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Marlins

Adrian Gonzalez

1B

Chula Vista, CA

2.

Twins

Adam Johnson

RHP

San Diego, CA

3.

Cubs

Luis Montanez

SS

Miami, FL

4.

Royals

Mike Stodolka

LHP

Corona, CA

5.

Expos

Justin Wayne

RHP

Honolulu, HI

6.

Devil Rays

Rocco Baldelli

OF

Warwick, RI

7.

Rockies

Matt Harrington

RHP

Palmdale, CA

8.

Tigers

Matt Wheatland

RHP

San Diego, CA

9.

Padres

Mark Phillips

LHP

Hanover, PA

10.

Angels

Joe Torres

LHP

Kissimmee, FL

11.

Brewers

Dave Krynzel

OF

Henderson, NV

12.

White Sox

Joe Borchard

OF

Camarillo, CA

13.

Cardinals

Shaun Boyd

2B

Oceanside, CA

14.

Orioles

Beau Hale

RHP

Mauriceville, TX

15.

Phillies

Chase Utley

2B

Long Beach, CA

16.

Mets

Billy Traber

LHP

El Segundo, CA

17.

Dodgers

Ben Diggins

RHP

Phoenix, AZ

18.

Blue Jays

Miguel Negron

OF

Caguas, PR

19.

Pirates

Sean Burnett

LHP

Wellington, FL

20.

Angels

Chris Bootcheck

RHP

LaPorte, IN

21.

Giants

John Bonser

RHP

Pinellas Park, FL

22.

Red Sox

Phil Dumatrait

LHP

Bakersfield, CA

23.

Reds

David Espinosa

SS

Miami, FL

24.

Cardinals

Blake Williams

RHP

San Marcos, TX

25.

Rangers

Scott Heard

C

San Diego, CA

26.

Indians

Corey Smith

SS

Piscataway, NJ

27.

Astros

Robert Stiehl

C

Torrance, CA

28.

Yankees

David Parrish

C

Yorba Linda, CA

29.

Braves

Adam Wainwright

RHP

St. Simons Island, GA

30.

Braves

Scott Thorman

3B

Cambridge, Ontario

2001

The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be selected in the first round and the first to be chosen number one overall. The switch-hitting back-stop was a member of the USA Junior National Team and won a gold medal at the world tournament in Taiwan in 1999. He was also a High School football standout as a quarterback and signed a letter of intent to play football at Florida State University before being drafted.

Right-handed pitcher Mark Prior of the University of Southern California was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the second overall pick in the draft. Prior, who was previously selected in the supplemental first round of the 1998 draft by the Yankees, was the first college player chosen in the 2001 draft. Prior won numerous National Player of the Year awards after going 15-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 202 strikeouts to lead the Trojans to a College World Series berth in his junior year.

First Round

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Twins

Joe Mauer

C

Cretin-Derham Hall HS, St. Paul

2.

Cubs

Mark Prior

RHP

U. of Southern California

3.

Devil Rays

Dewon Brazelton

RHP

Middle Tennessee State U

4.

Phillies

Gavin Floyd

RHP

Mt. St. Joseph HS, Baltimore

5.

Rangers

Mark Teixeira

3B

Georgia Tech

6.

Expos

Josh Karp

RHP

UCLA

7.

Orioles

Chris Smith

LHP

Cumberland (Tenn.) U

8.

Pirates

John VanBenschoten

1B-OF

Kent State U

9.

Royals

Colt Griffin

RHP

Marshall (Texas) HS

10.

Astros

Chris Burke

SS

U. of Tennessee

11.

Tigers

Kenny Baugh

RHP

Rice U

12.

Brewers

Mike Jones

RHP

Thunderbird HS, Phoenix

13.

Angels

Casey Kotchman

1B

Seminole (Fla.) HS

14.

Padres

Jake Gautreau

3B

Tulane U

15.

Blue Jays

Gabe Gross

OF

Auburn U

16.

White Sox

Kris Honel

RHP

Providence HS, New Lenox, IL

17.

Indians

Dan Denham

RHP

Deer Valley HS, Antioch, CA

18.

Mets

Aaron Heilman

RHP

U. of Notre Dame

19.

Orioles

Mike Fontenot

2B

Louisiana State U

20.

Reds

Jeremy Sowers

LHP

Ballard HS, Louisville

21.

Giants

Brad Hennessey

RHP

Youngstown State U

22.

D-Backs

Jason Bulger

RHP

Valdosta State U

23.

Yankees

John-Ford Griffin

OF

Florida State U

24.

Braves

Macay McBride

LHP

Screven County HS, Sylvania, GA

25.

Athletics

Bobby Crosby

SS

Long Beach State U

26.

Athletics

Jeremy Bonderman

RHP

Pasco (Wash.) HS

27.

Indians

Alan Horne

RHP

Marianna (Fla.) HS

28.

Cardinals

Justin Pope

RHP

U. of Central Florida

29.

Braves

Josh Burrus

SS

Wheeler HS, Marietta, GA

30.

Giants

Noah Lowry

LHP

Pepperdine U

2002

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Bryan Bullington with the first overall pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. The 6'5", 225-pound hurler was ranked by Baseball America as having the best breaking ball and best command among all college pitchers.

In his three-year career at Ball State, Bullington posted a 29-11 record, 13 complete games and a 3.36 ERA in 46 games (42 starts). He is the university's all-time leader in strikeouts (357) and was a member of the 2001 USA National team. As a freshman, Bullington garnered all-conference honors and led the MAC in strikeouts. He was also named MAC Pitcher-of-the-Year for 2001 and 2002. Bullington set a MAC record in strikeouts and led the league in victories and ERA in 2002.

Other notable selections in the first round included Prince Fielder (Brewers), son of former Major Leaguer Cecil Fielder; and John Mayberry Jr. (Mariners), son of former Major Leaguer John Mayberry.

First Round

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Pirates

Bryan Bullington

RHP

Ball State U.

2.

Devil Rays

B.J. Upton

SS

Greenbriar Christian, Chesapeake, VA

3.

Reds

Chris Gruler

RHP

Liberty HS, Brentwood, CA

4.

Orioles

Adam Loewen

LHP

Fraser Valley Christian, Surrey, B.C.

5.

Expos

Clint Everts

RHP

Cypress Falls HS, Houston

6.

Royals

Zack Greinke

RHP

Apoka HS, Orlando

7.

Brewers

Prince Fielder

1B

Eau Gaillie HS, Melbourne, FLA

8.

Tigers

Scott Moore

SS

Cypress (Calif.) HS

9.

Rockies

Jeff Francis

LHP

U. of British Columbia

10.

Rangers

Drew Meyer

SS

U. of South Carolina

11.

Marlins

Jeremy Hermida

OF

Wheeler HS, Marietta, GA

12.

Angels

Joe Saunders

LHP

Virginia Tech

13.

Padres

Khalil Greene

SS

Clemson U

14.

Blue Jays

Russ Adams

SS-2B

U. of North Carolina

15.

Mets

Scott Kazmir

LHP

Cypress Falls HS, Houston

16.

Athletics

Nick Swisher

1B-OF

Ohio State U.

17.

Phillies

Cole Hamels

RHP

Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego

18.

White Sox

Royce Ring

LHP

San Diego State U.

19.

Dodgers

James Loney

1B-LHP

Elkins HS, Missouri City, TX

20.

Twins

Denard Span

OF

Tampa Catholic HS

21.

Cubs

Bobby Brownlie

RHP

Rutgers U.

22.

Indians

Jeremy Guthrie

RHP

Stanford Univ.

23.

Braves

Jeff Francoeur

OF

Parkview HS, Lilburn, GA

24.

Athletics

Joseph Blanton

RHP

University of Kentucky

25.

Giants

Matt Cain

RHP

Houston HS, Germantown, TN

26.

Athletics

John McCurdy

SS

U. of Maryland

27.

D-backs

Sergio Santos

SS

Mater Dei HS, Hacienda Heights, CA

28.

Mariners

John Mayberry Jr.

1B

Rockhurst HS, Kansas City

29.

Astros

Derick Grigsby

RHP

Northeast Texas, CC

30.

Athletics

Ben Fritz

RHP

Fresno State U.

2003

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Camarillo High School outfielder Delmon Young with the first overall pick.

Young (6-3, 205 pounds) batted .541 (33-for-61) with seven home runs, 28 RBI in 22 games as a senior this spring for Camarillo. He was named Baseball America's High School Player of the Year in 2002 and was one of only three juniors selected as first team 2002 All-Americans. He became the first junior to be named California State Player of the Year since Eric Chavez in 1995.

At the World Junior Championships in Sherbrooke, Quebec, he helped lead Team USA to a bronze medal while batting .513 with a tournament-record eight home runs and 19 RBI in 38 at-bats.

The 17-year-old Young is the younger brother of Dmitri Young of the Detroit Tigers, who was an expansion draft pick of the Rays, but never played in the organization. They became the first set of brothers to be taken within the first five selections of the draft. Dmitri was the 4th player selected by the Cardinals in the 1991 draft.

Pitchers Ryan Wagner (Cincinnati), Chad Cordero (Montreal), David Aardsma (San Francisco) and infielder Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee) all reached the Major League level in less than a year.

First Round

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Devil Rays

Delmon Young

RF

Adolfo Camarillo HS

2.

Brewers

Rickie Weeks

2B

Southern U A&M

3.

Tigers

Kyle Sleeth

RHP

Wake Forest U

4.

Padres

Timothy Stauffer

RHP

U Richmond

5.

Royals

Christopher Lubanski

CF

Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic

6.

Cubs

Ryan Harvey

CF

Dunedin HS

7.

Orioles

Nicholas Markakis

OF

Young-Harris College

8.

Pirates

Paul Maholm

LHP

Mississippi State U

9.

Rangers

John Danks

LHP

Round Rock HS

10.

Rockies

Ian Stewart

3B

La Quinta HS

11.

Indians

Robert Aubrey

1B

Tulane U

12.

Mets

Lastings Milledge

CF

Lakewood Ranch HS

13.

Blue Jays

Aaron Hill

SS

Louisiana State U

14.

Reds

Ryan Wagner

RHP

U of Houston

15.

White Sox

Brian Anderson

CF

U of Arizona

16.

Marlins

Jeffrey Allison

RHP

Veterans Memorial HS

17.

Red Sox

David Murphy

CF

Baylor U

18.

Indians

Bradley Snyder

RF

Ball State U.

19.

D-backs

Conor Jackson

3B

U of California

20.

Expos

Chad Cordero

RHP

California State U.

21.

Twins

Matthew Moses

3B

Mills E. Godwin HS

22.

Giants

David Aardsma

RHP

Rice U.

23.

Angels

Richard Wood

SS

Horizon HS

24.

Dodgers

Chad Billingsley

RHP

Defiance Sr. HS

25.

Athletics

Bradley Sullivan

RHP

U of Houston

26.

Athletics

Brian Snyder

3B

Stetson U

27.

Yankees

Eric Duncan

3B

Seton Hall Prep School

28.

Cardinals

Daric Barton

C

Marina HS

29.

D-backs

Carlos Quentin

OF

Stanford Univ.

30.

Royals

Mitchell Maier

C

U of Toledo

2004

The San Diego Padres stayed close to home with the first overall pick of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, tabbing high school shortstop Matthew Bush from Mission Bay (CA) High School. Bush, the first high school shortstop taken first overall since the Seattle Mariners chose Alex Rodriguez in 1993, batted .450 with 11 home runs, 35 RBI and 12 stolen bases during his senior year. The 18-year-old helped lead the Buccaneers to two San Diego Section Division III championships in three years, setting state records for career hits (211) and runs scored (188) in the process.

Pitchers from Rice University were the most popular choices in the early going of the draft. Three Owl hurlers went among the top eight selections.

The 2004 amateur draft saw 31 players drafted whose fathers played professional baseball at some point in their career. One such player was the Pittsburgh's top pick, Neil Walker, the son of former Expos pitcher Tom Walker. In addition, two younger brothers of Major Leaguers went in the first round. The Angels selected Jered Weaver, brother of Dodgers right-hander Jeff. The Arizona Diamondbacks went with Stephen Drew, brother of J.D. and Tim.

First Round

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Padres

Matthew Bush

SS

Mission Bay HS

2.

Tigers

Justin Verlander

RHP

Old Dominion U.

3.

Mets

Philip Humber

RHP

Rice U.

4.

Devil Rays

Jeffrey Niemann

RHP

Rice U.

5.

Brewers

Mark Rogers

RHP

Mt. Ararat School

6.

Indians

Jeremy Sowers

LHP

Vanderbilt U.

7.

Reds

David Bailey

RHP

La Grange HS

8.

Orioles

Wade Townsend

RHP

Rice U.

9.

Rockies

Christopher Nelson

SS

Redan HS

10.

Rangers

Thomas Diamond

RHP

U New Orleans

11.

Pirates

Neil Walker

C

Pine Richland HS

12.

Angels

Jered Weaver

RHP

Long Beach State

13.

Expos

William Bray

LHP

College of William & Mary

14.

Royals

Billy Butler

3B

Wolfson Senior HS

15.

D-backs

Stephen Drew

SS

Florida State U.

16.

Blue Jays

David Purcey

LHP

U of Oklahoma

17.

Dodgers

Timothy Elbert

LHP

Seneca HS

18.

White Sox

Joshua Fields

3B

Oklahoma State U.

19.

Cardinals

Christopher Lambert

RHP

Boston College

20.

Twins

Trevor Plouffe

SS

Crespi Carmelite HS

21.

Phillies

Gregory Golson

CF

Connally HS

22.

Twins

Glen Perkins

LHP

U of Minnesota

23.

Yankees

Philip Hughes

RHP

Foothill HS

24.

Athletics

Landon Powell

C

U of South Carolina

25.

Twins

Steven Waldrop

RHP

Farragut HS

26.

Oakland

Richard Robnett

CF

Fresno State U.

27.

Marlins

Taylor Tankersley

LHP

U of Alabama

28.

Dodgers

Blake Dewitt

2B

Sikeston HS

29.

Royals

Matthew Campbell

LHP

U of South Carolina

30.

Rangers

Eric Hurley

RHP

Wolfson Senior HS

2005

The D-backs used the top overall pick on high school shortstop Justin Upton and thus made him and older brother, B.J., the highest selected pair of brothers in the history of the draft. The Devil Rays selected B.J. with the second overall pick of the 2002 draft. With the fourth overall pick, the Nationals chose one of Upton's AAU teammates, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman of the University of Virginia. Zimmerman and B.J. Upton played in the same AAU infield as New York Mets third baseman David Wright in their youth.

College third basemen accounted for three of the top five selections. A total of 13 pitchers went in the first round, 10 of whom came from the college ranks.

Rice pitcher Wade Townsend was the eighth overall pick in the first round for the second straight year. After failing to reach terms with the Orioles last year, Townsend re-entered the draft pool and was selected by Tampa Bay.

Three 2005 first-round draft choices saw action before the conclusion of the Major League season. Atlanta's Joey Devine became the first Brave since Bob Horner in 1978 to appear in the Majors the same year he was drafted. Devine joined Ariel Prieto (OAK-1995), Chad Cordero (MON-2003) and Ryan Wagner (CIN-2003) as the only draftees of the last 15 years to reach the Majors before September 1st the same year. Zimmerman and Boston's Craig Hansen joined their Major League clubs in September 2005.

Stanford outfielder John Mayberry, the son of the longtime Major League first baseman of the same name, was drafted by the Rangers with the 19th overall pick.

Pick

Team

Player

Pos.

School

Hometown

1.

D-backs

Justin Upton

SS

Great Bridge HS

Chesapeake, VA

2.

Royals

Alex Gordon

3B

Univ. of Nebraska

Lincoln, NE

3.

Mariners

Jeffrey Clement

C

Univ. of Southern Cal.

Marshalltown, IA

4.

Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman

3B

Univ. of Virginia

Virginia Beach, VA

5.

Brewers

Ryan Braun

3B

Univ. of Miami

Granada Hills, CA

6.

Blue Jays

Ricardo Romero

LHP

Cal St. Fullerton

Los Angeles, CA

7.

Rockies

Troy Tulowitzki

SS

Cal St. Long Beach

Sunnyvale, CA

8.

Devil Rays

Wade Townsend

RHP

Rice University

Dripping Springs, TX

9.

Mets

Michael Pelfrey

RHP

Wichita State Univ.

Augusta, KS

10.

Tigers

Cameron Maybin

OF

TC Roberson HS

Arden, NC

11.

Pirates

Andrew McCutchen

OF

Fort Meade HS

Fort Meade, FL

12.

Reds

Jay Bruce

OF

Westbrook HS

Beaumont, TX

13.

Orioles

Brandon Snyder

C

Westfield HS

Centreville, VA

14.

Indians

Trevor Crowe

OF

Univ. of Arizona

Aurora, CO

15.

White Sox

Lance Broadway

RHP

Texas Christian Univ.

Mansfield, TX

16.

Marlins

Chris. Volstad

RHP

Palm Beach Gardens HS

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

17.

Yankees

C.J. Henry

SS

Putnam City HS

Oklahoma City, OK

18.

Padres

Cesar Carrillo

RHP

Univ. of Miami

Hammond, IN

19.

Rangers

John Mayberry

OF

Stanford Univ.

Overland Park, KS

20.

Cubs

Mark Pawelek

LHP

Springville HS

Springville, UT

21.

Athletics

Clift. Pennington

SS

Texas A&M Univ.

Corpus Christi, TX

22.

Marlins

Aaron Thompson

LHP

Second Baptist School

Houston, TX

23.

Red Sox

Jacoby Ellsbury

OF

Oregon St. Univ.

Madras, OR

24.

Astros

Brian Bogusevic

LHP

Tulane Univ.

Palos Heights, IL

25.

Twins

M. Albidrez-Garza

RHP

Fresno St. Univ.

Fresno, CA

26.

Red Sox

Craig Hansen

RHP

St. Johns Univ.

Glen Cove, NY

27.

Braves

Joseph Devine

RHP

North Carolina St. Univ.

Junction City, KS

28.

Cardinals

Colby Rasmus

OF

Russell County HS

Phenix City, AL

29.

Marlins

Jacob Marceaux

RHP

McNeese St. Univ.

Jennings, LA

30.

Cardinals

James Greene

SS

Georgia Tech Univ.

Plantation, FL

2006

Pitching accounted for 18 of the 30 selections in the first round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, including the top choice, righthander Luke Hochevar, who was chosen by the Kansas City Royals. The University of Tennessee product pitched for the Fort Worth Cats of the Independent League after not reaching terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who selected him in the sandwich round (40th overall) of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.

Six of the first seven picks and nine of the first 12 selections were pitchers. In addition to the 18 hurlers, seven outfielders, three third basemen and two catchers made up the rest of the first round.

The first six picks were from the college ranks. University of North Carolina pitchers Andrew Miller (6th overall, Tigers) and Daniel Bard (28th, Red Sox) and University of Texas teammates Drew Stubbs (8th overall, Reds) and Kyle McCulloch (29th, White Sox) went in the first round.

Detroits Miller would become the first player from the 2006 Draft to reach the Major Leagues. He debuted in relief during a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on August 30. He would make eight relief appearances for the Tigers during their pennant-winning season.

Kyle Drabek, the son of longtime Major League pitcher Doug Drabek, was chosen by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 18th pick.

Pick

Team

Player

Pos.

School

Hometown

1.

Royals

Luke Hochevar

RHP

Univ. of Tennessee

Wray, CO

2.

Rockies

Greg Reynolds

RHP

Stanford Univ.

Pacifica, CA

3.

Devil Rays

Evan Longoria

3B

Cal. St. Long Beach

Downey, CA

4.

Pirates

Brad Lincoln

RHP

Univ. of Houston

Clute, TX

5.

Mariners

Brandon Morrow

RHP

Univ. of Cal.-Berkley

Rohnert Park, CA

6.

Tigers

Andrew Miller

LHP

Univ. of North Carolina

Earleton, FL

7.

Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw

LHP

Highland Park HS

Dallas, TX

8.

Reds

Drew Stubbs

OF

Univ. of Texas

Atlanta, TX

9.

Orioles

Billy Rowell

3B

Bishop Eustace Prep

Sewell, NJ

10.

Giants

Tim Lincecum

RHP

Univ. of Washington

Bellevue, WA

11.

D-backs

Max Scherzer

RHP

Univ. of MO-Columbia

Chesterfield, MO

12.

Rangers

Kasey Kiker

LHP

Russell County HS

Phenix City, AL

13.

Cubs

Tyler Colvin

OF

Clemson Univ.

North Augusta, SC

14.

Blue Jays

Travis Snider

OF

Jackson HS

Lynwood, WA

15.

Nationals

Chris Marrero

OF

Monsignor Edward Pace HS

Hialeah Gardens, FL

16.

Brewers

Jeremy Jeffress

RHP

Halifax County Sr. HS

South Boston, VA

17.

Padres

Matt Antonelli

3B

Wake Forest Univ.

Peabody, MA

18.

Phillies

Kyle Drabek

RHP/SS

The Woodlands HS

The Woodlands, TX

19.

Marlins

Brett Sinkbeil

RHP

Missouri State Univ.

Sand Springs, OK

20.

Twins

Chris Parmelee

OF

Chino Hills HS

Chino Hills, CA

21.

Yankees

Ian Kennedy

RHP

Univ. of Southern Cal.

Huntington Beach, CA

22.

Nationals

Colton Willems

RHP

John Carroll HS

Ft. Pierce, FL

23.

Astros

Maxwell Sapp

C

Bishop Moore School

Orlando, FL

24.

Braves

John C. Johnson

OF

A. Crawford Mosley HS

Panama City, FL

25.

Angels

Hank Conger

C

Huntington Beach HS

Huntington Beach, CA

26.

Dodgers

Avery Morris

RHP

Motlow St. CC

Tullahoma, TN

27.

Red Sox

Jason Place

OF

Wren HS

Easley, SC

28.

Red Sox

Daniel Bard

RHP

Univ. of North Carolina

Charlotte, NC

29.

White Sox

Kyle McCulloch

RHP

Univ. of Texas

Fulshear, TX

30.

Cardinals

Adam Ottavino

RHP

Northeastern Univ.

Brooklyn, NY

2007

When 17 high school players were selected in the opening round of the First-Year Player Draft, it seemed as if the young would rule the two days at Disney World. But as the second day of the Draft unfolded, it became apparent that the new rules eliminating draft-and-follows as well those setting a firm signing date for draftees were having an impact on the proceedings.

When the 1,453rd and final pick was made, there were some significant changes in the approach to drafting high school players. For starters, there were only 476 prep players chosen, which represents the lowest total since 415 high school players were chosen in 1987. It was also only the second time in the past two decades that the number of high school players chosen dipped below 500.

There were 66 fewer prep players chosen than last year. In addition, high school players represented only 32.7 percent of those drafted, which is the lowest percentage since 32.8 percent of players chosen in 1987 came from the prep ranks.

Pick

Team

Player

Pos.

School

1.

Devil Rays

David Price

LHP

Vanderbilt Univ.

2.

Royals

Michael Moustakas

SS

Chatsworth HS

3.

Cubs

Joshua Vitters

3B

Cypress HS

4.

Pirates

Daniel Moskos

LHP

Clemson Univ.

5.

Orioles

Matthew Wieters

C

Georgia Tech

6.

Nationals

Ross Detwiler

LHP

Missouri St. Univ.

7.

Brewers

Matthew LaPorta

LF

Univ. of Florida

8.

Rockies

Casey Weathers

RHP

Vanderbilt Univ.

9.

D-backs

Jarrod Parker

RHP

Norwell HS

10.

Giants

Madison Bumgarner

LHP

South Caldwell HS

11.

Mariners

Phillippe Aumont

RHP

Ecole Du Versant

12.

Marlins

Matthew Dominguez

3B

Chatsworth HS

13.

Indians

Beau Mills

1B

Lewis & Clark St. Col.

14.

Braves

Jason Heyward

OF

Henry County HS

15.

Reds

Devin Mesoraco

C

Punxsutawney Area HS

16.

Blue Jays

Kevin Ahrens

SS

Memorial HS

17.

Rangers

Blake Beavan

RHP

Irving HS

18.

Cardinals

Peter Kozma

SS

Owasso HS

19.

Phillies

Joseph Savery

LHP

Rice Univ.

20.

Dodgers

Christopher Withrow

RHP

Midland Christian HS

21.

Blue Jays

Jonathan Arencibia

C

Univ. of Tennessee

22.

Giants

Timothy Alderson

RHP

Horizon HS

23.

Padres

Nicholas Schmidt

LHP

Univ. of Arkansas Fayetteville

24.

Rangers

Michael Main

RHP

Deland HS

25.

White Sox

Aaron Poreda

LHP

Univ. of San Francisco

26.

Athletics

Donald Simmons

RHP

UC Riverside

27.

Tigers

Fredrick Porcello

RHP

Seton Hall Prep School

28.

Twins

Ben Revere

CG

Lexington Catholic HS

29.

Giants

Wendell Fairley

CF

George County HS

30.

Yankees

Andrew Brackman

RHP

North Carolina St. Univ.

2008

Georgia high school shortstop Tim Beckham grabbed the top spot in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, but all 30 clubs went college heavy in the 50-round affair, and a record-tying 21 collegiate players were chosen in the first round -- an indication of what was to come. Only 485 prep players were selected out of the 1,504 names that were called, the 485 prep players drafted representing the second-lowest total in 21 years. High school players represented 32.2 percent of the players drafted, the lowest since 32.8 percent of the players selected in 1987 came from the prep ranks.

Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez was the obvious choice at No. 2 and, despite the prospect of a hefty bonus and the possibility of a Major League contract, the Pirates took him. For the third straight Draft, the Royals took a Boras-advised player with their first pick, selecting first baseman Eric Hosmer from American Heritage High School in Florida. The Giants took Buster Posey at No. 5 overall despite huge demands being floated in the hours prior to the Draft, and the Reds took Yonder Alonso at No. 7 because they believed he was the best player on their board, ignoring what many thought was a high price tag.

Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy made its presence felt, with two players selected in the first round (Kyle Skipworth, sixth to the Marlins) and Aaron Hicks (14th to the Twins) and two more in the compensation round.

Pick

Team

Player

Pos.

School

1.

Rays

Tim Beckham

SS

Griffin HS

2.

Pirates

Pedro Alvarez

3B

Vanderbilt Univ.

3.

Royals

Eric Hosmer

1B

American Heritage HS (Fla.)

4.

Orioles

Brian Matusz

LHP

Univ. of San Diego

5.

Giants

Buster Posey

RHP

Univ. of Cal.-Berkley

6.

Marlins

Kyle Skipworth

C

Patriot HS (Calif.)

7.

Reds

Yonder Alonso

1B

Univ. of Miami

8.

White Sox

Gordon Beckham

SS

Univ. of Georgia

9.

Nationals

Aaron Crow

RHP

Univ. of Missouri

10.

Astros

Jason Castro

C

Stanford

11.

Rangers

Justin Smoak

1B

South Carolina

12.

Athletics

Jemile Weeks

2B

Univ. of Miami

13.

Cardinals

Brett Wallace

1B

Arizona St.

14.

Twins

Aaron Hicks

OF

Wilson, HS (Calif.)

15.

Dodgers

Ethan Martin

RHP

Stephens County HS (Ga.)

16.

Brewers

Brett Lawrie

3B/C

Brookswood SS (B.C.)

17.

Blue Jays

David Cooper

1B

California

18.

Mets

Ike Davis

1B

Arizona St.

19.

Cubs

Andrew Cashner

RHP

Texas Christian

20.

Mariners

Josh Fields

RHP

Univ. of Georgia

21.

Tigers

Ryan Perry

RHP

Univ. of Arizona

22.

Mets

Reese Havens

SS

South Carolina

23.

Padres

Allan Dykstra

1B

Wake Forest

24.

Phillies

Anthony Hewitt

SS

Salisburty School

25.

Rockies

Christian Friedrich

LHP

Eastern Kentucky

26.

D-Backs

Daniel Schlereth

LHP

Univ. of Arizona

27.

Twins

Carlos Gutierrez

RHP

Univ. of Miami

28.

Yankees

Gerrit Cole

RHP

Orange Lutheran HS

29.

Indians

Lonnie Chisenhall

SS

Pitt CC

30.

Red Sox

Casey Kelly

RHP/SS

Sarasota HS (Fla.)

2009

The Draft enjoyed its prime-time television debut in 2009, with the first round broadcast live from MLB Network's Studio 42, and expanded to a three-day affair for the first time. The excitement that built in the weeks leading into the Draft about presumptive first overall pick Stephen Strasburg, the San Diego State star, came to a peak when Commissioner Bud Selig announced that, indeed, the Washington Nationals had taken the 21-year-old wunderkind with that pick.

The first night was certainly not lacking in star power, as Commissioner Selig read off the names of the 32 first-round picks and a host of baseball luminaries -- including Hall of Famers Al Kaline, Billy Williams and the irrepressible Tommy Lasorda -- announced the rest of the picks. One of the night's highlights was the warm welcome afforded to New Jersey prep outfielder Mike Trout, who was on hand at Studio 42 with a host of family and friends. When the Angels took him with the 25th overall pick, the room erupted in cheers as he strode to the podium to receive his first Angels cap and jersey from Commissioner Selig.

The first round was a perfect split: 16 pitchers and 16 position players; 16 polished college products and 16 promising high school prospects. A total of 1,521 players were drafted and, again, nearly an even split: 765 pitchers, 756 hitters.

Second overall pick Dustin Ackley, regarded as the top college bat in the Draft, was taken by Seattle. Rounding out 2009's top five picks were: Five-tool outfielder Donavan Tate, the first high school player taken, who went third overall to San Diego; polished Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez, the No. 4 pick by Pittsburgh; and right-hander Matt Hobgood from Norco (Calif.) High School, the first high school pitcher off the board at No. 5 by Baltimore.